From the Heart (Sandy Cove Series Book 5) Read online

  Sheila hated the idea of selling her childhood home. Most of her memories of her father were there as well as countless other moments in her life’s history. But there was no way she could imagine keeping the place, paying for all it’s upkeep and taxes, and still being able to afford a unit at Shoreline Manor.

  Dear Lord, please make this clear to all of us. If Mom is supposed to move up here, give her a good feeling about it. She rested her head back against the soft pillows on the couch and dozed off, only to be awakened a half-hour later by the phone ringing.

  It was Michelle telling her Steve was home with the dinner and wondering if she’d like to join them.

  “I don’t think so, honey. But thanks. I’m kind of beat. Think I’ll just have a quiet evening at home.”

  “Okay,” she replied. “And Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “I think Grandma will be fine at Shoreline Manor.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. I really do.”

  After they hung up, Sheila felt a little better. Then the doorbell rang, and she found Rick standing on the front porch with a bouquet of flowers. Suddenly she didn’t feel so tired after all.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Joan received the brochure for Shoreline Manor two days later. She carried it in from the mailbox and studied the glossy pages filled with attractive photos of the grounds and the interiors of the apartments. The units looked bright and cheerful with modern appliances and countertops. But they also looked very small, much smaller than the place she’d called home for nearly sixty years.

  As she gazed around her front room, she wondered aloud, “Where am I going to put all my treasures?” She’d planned to get rid of some of her things. Maybe even half. But these tiny residences would require her to give up most of the items she’d collected over the years. Items that were dear to her.

  Again anxiety wrapped its icy fingers around her heart. Maybe she should just stay in Mariposa. She put the brochure on the side table. I’ll watch the DVD later.

  That night, as she was getting ready for bed, Thumper began barking by the front window. She pulled on her robe and headed out to see what he was so upset about, fear fighting to have its way with her.

  By the time she got to the dog, he had his front paws on the window ledge and his lips were curled in a menacing expression. His loud barking was unnerving, and she reached for his collar to guide him away from the window. Somehow in the process, she lost her footing and fell, landing on her right hand and hip.

  Immediately a sharp pain shot through her right arm and shoulder. She cried out in pain, and the sound startled Thumper enough that he stopped barking and faced her, panting and beginning to lick at her face.

  At first, all Joan could do was moan. Pushing the dog away with her left hand, she managed to roll onto her knees, cradling her right arm to her chest. Then crawling to the couch, she used her good arm to pull herself up. As she sat down, she reached over and grabbed the phone. Her phone book was in the kitchen, so she called the only number she knew by heart.

  “Mom?” Sheila’s voice answered.

  Joan felt like she was about to lose her dinner. “Yes. It’s me,” she replied, waves of nausea adding to the distress of her pain. “I’m hurt.”

  “What? What happened?”

  “I…I fell.”

  “How badly are you hurt?”

  Joan took a breath. The pain in her arm brought tears to her eyes. “Pretty bad. I think I broke my arm.”

  “Okay. Listen, Mom. You’ve got to hang up the phone and call 911. Okay?”

  She nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay.”

  “And call me back after they get there.”

  “I will.”

  Joan did as Sheila instructed, and five minutes later a fire truck and paramedic van pulled into the driveway. Thumper went crazy as the paramedics knocked on the front door. Forcing herself to her feet, Joan somehow managed to shuffle over and unlock the door as tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Immediately the paramedics went to work helping her to the couch again and beginning their examination.

  “I need to call my daughter back,” she said as they prepared to take her to the hospital.

  “What’s your daughter’s name and number, Ma’am?” one of the nice young men asked. He wrote down what she told him and then promised to call Sheila himself. “You’ll be able to talk to her once you get settled at the hospital,” he promised.

  Four hours and several X-rays later, Joan got the news. “You have a fracture of the radius and a pretty bad sprain in your shoulder. We’ll leave you in a temporary splint and sling for now until the swelling goes down. But eventually you will need a cast from your hand to above your elbow. Do you live alone?” he asked.

  “Yes. Except for my dog,” she replied, hoping Thumper was managing all right without her.

  “Then I think we’ll keep you overnight for observation. We’ve given you some pretty strong pain medication, and it’ll be best for you to just sleep for a while. Would you like to call your daughter now? The paramedics mentioned they’d talked to her and she was eager to hear from you.”

  Joan nodded.

  “Okay, I’ll have the nurse help you get settled into a room and then you can give her a call.”

  By the time Joan could call Sheila, it was well after midnight. She explained what the doctor had told her and that she was staying at the hospital over night.

  “I’m coming down tomorrow,” her daughter said. “I’m not sure what time I’ll arrive, but it will probably be late in the day or maybe even after dinner. It depends on which flight I can get from here. Is the nurse there with you?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, I’ll call the hospital after we hang up and see if they can keep you until I get there.”

  “What about Thumper?” Joan asked, worried about the dog trapped in the house.

  “I’ll try to get a hold of Trent. They have your house key, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. I’m sure someone there can go feed him in the morning and put him out.”

  Joan was feeling so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open. “I think I’d better hang up and try to sleep,” she said.

  “Good idea, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t worry about anything, okay?”

  “Okay, dear.” She reached over and hung up the phone, then slipped into a deep slumber.

  Adrenaline surged through Sheila as she began calling airlines for a reservation. I’ve got to get there, she thought, her head spinning with concern and questions. Thankfully, she was able to grab a spot on the first flight out of Portland in the morning.

  As soon as she got off the phone with the airline, she dialed Michelle.

  “Mom? Are you okay?” her daughter asked, clearly concerned about the late night call.

  “I’m fine, honey. But Grandma’s in the hospital.”

  “What? What happened?”

  Sheila explained all that she knew about her mother’s injury and then added, “I’m flying down there in the morning.”

  “Okay. Do you want me to take a half day off from school to take you to the airport?” Michelle asked.

  “Let me call Rick, and I’ll get back to you on that. In the meantime, just please be praying for your grandmother. She must be feeling really alone right now.”

  “I will, Mom. Call me back after you talk to Rick.”

  Before dialing Rick’s number, Sheila paused to pray. Please, Lord, be with Mom. Give her peace and ease her pain. Help her sleep tonight and be okay until I get there.

  Rick answered on the second ring. “Well, this is a nice surprise,” he said. “I was just thinking about you.”

  His voice soothed her spirit and helped her regain her composure. “I’ve got a little emergency here, Rick.”

  “Really? What’s up?”

  “It’s Mom. She fell and ended up in the hospital with a broken arm.”

  “Oh, no. Is there anything I can do
? Do you want me to come over and we’ll drive down there?”

  Sheila’s heart swelled with gratitude and love. “That’s really sweet. But I arranged a flight for first thing in the morning. Is there any chance you could drive me to the airport?”

  “Of course. What time do you want me to pick you up?”

  Suddenly a wave of emotion overtook Sheila and she felt like she was going to cry.

  “Sheila? Are you still there?” he asked.

  Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and replied, “Yes. I’m here. Just feeling a little emotional.”

  “Do you want me to come over?” He sounded concerned.

  “No. It’s okay. I need to focus and pack. And then I’d better try to get some sleep,” she replied, while her heart cried out, Come.

  Rick cleared his throat. “I’m coming over. I promise I won’t get in the way of your packing, and I won’t stay long.”

  A smile crept across Sheila’s face, as one lone tear slipped down her cheek. “Thanks,” she said softly.

  Ten minutes later, he was at her door. Without a word, she walked into his open arms, leaning her head against his chest as he held her close.

  “It’ll be okay,” he said softly, and she nodded. His calm assurance penetrated her being, and she silently thanked God for this man and the unexpected blessing he brought into her life.

  CHAPTER TEN

  As Joan opened her eyes the next morning, she found herself in an unfamiliar setting. Trying to push up to a sitting position, the pain sliced through her right arm.

  “Here, let me help you,” a voice said. Immediately a nurse was at her side, using the bed’s remote control to elevate Joan’s head. She must have looked pretty confused, because the nurse began explaining, “You’re in the hospital. You took a fall last night and broke your wrist and sprained your shoulder.”

  Joan nodded, everything coming back to her. “I remember. I just feel so drugged right now.”

  “It’s the pain medication. Here, have some water. And then we’ll talk about your breakfast.” The nurse held a cup of water for her, moving the straw so it was easy for Joan to take a drink.

  She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was until after the first swallow. She emptied the cup and then asked for assistance to use the restroom. What an ordeal that proved to be without the use of her right arm! Life was going to be challenging for a while.

  Next she was presented with a breakfast menu. Her stomach felt a little queasy, but the nurse assured her that food would be helpful. After ordering a poached egg and toast, she settled back against the pillow and rested. She ate as much of it as she could, and then dozed on and off for the rest of the morning.

  Around noon, Sheila arrived. Seeing her daughter standing in the doorway brought such relief and joy. Loneliness had been her companion too long. She needed family.

  Sheila leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling, Mom?”

  “Good, now that you are here,” she replied with a smile. As she reached to take Sheila’s hand, she winced again from the pain. Even using her left side seemed to somehow trigger pain on the right.

  “Let’s see if we can get you something for that pain,” Sheila said.

  “I think they’re already giving me whatever they can. It’s just going to take a few days before I start feeling better.”

  Her daughter nodded. “I’ll go talk to the nurse and find out if I can take you home this afternoon.”

  When she returned, a doctor was with her. “I’ve been discussing your break with your daughter, Mrs. Walker, and I think it’s fine for you to go home as long as she will be there to take care of you. I’ve explained that we set the bone, but you’ll need to be seen by an orthopedic specialist later in the week when the swelling has gone down to get a regular cast.

  “Thank you, doctor,” Joan replied.

  He handed Sheila some paperwork to sign regarding care instructions and follow up. “Here’s the name of a good orthopedic surgeon,” he added, handing her a business card.

  Sheila thanked him. As soon as he’d left the room, the nurse and Sheila worked together to get Joan out of bed and dressed. “I have a rental car parked in the lot,” Sheila told the nurse, who was helping Joan into a wheelchair. “I’ll go bring it around to the front and meet you there.”

  “I feel silly in this chair,” Joan said. “I can walk. Really.”

  “Hospital regulations,” the nurse replied with a smile. “Enjoy the free ride.”

  When they got to the front of the hospital, Sheila was waiting with a snazzy red compact car. “What do you think, Mom?” she asked with a wink.

  “It suits you, dear,” she replied, returning her daughter’s smile. Thank you, Lord, for bringing her down here.

  As they pulled into Joan’s driveway, Thumper ran to greet them, Trent close on his heels.

  “I was just letting him out,” the boy explained. “He took off as soon as he saw the car coming.”

  Although Thumper seemed happy to see them, Joan noticed he looked in the car one last time after they’d gotten out. Probably still looking for Phil, she thought sadly.

  “Would you like to join us for a bite to eat?” Sheila asked Trent. “Mom missed lunch, so I’m going to fix her something.”

  “No thanks. I’ve got to get to football practice. Just stopped by for a minute to let the dog out.” He picked up his bike that was lying on the grass and hopped on. “See you later, Mrs. Walker. Let me know if you need anything else.” He waved as he took off down the driveway.

  “Let’s get you inside, Mom,” Sheila said, taking her by the left elbow and helping her up the porch steps.

  Soon Joan was propped up on the couch, her right arm supported on a pillow resting on her lap. Sheila made some lemonade and sandwiches and they sat together in the living room eating and visiting.

  “So how’re Michelle and the kids doing?” Joan wanted to know.

  “They’re fine. Busy with school, of course. Caleb’s got quite a big class this year, but he really likes his teacher, so I guess he’s happy. Madison started at Magnolia Middle School, so she and Michelle are commuting together this year. It’s a big step for Maddie, going from class to class and having a locker. But she seems to be adjusting well, although Michelle said she barely acknowledges her in the hallways. I guess it’s a little tough being at the same school where your mother is a teacher.”

  “I can imagine. I remember you at that age. Your father said you made him drop you off a block away from school each morning.”

  Sheila laughed. “Yeah.” Then her smile fell, and Joan knew she was thinking about Phil and how much they both missed him.

  “So how long do you plan to stay, sweetheart? I really appreciate you coming down to get me out of the hospital, but I don’t want to drag you away from your life and all that’s happening with Rick these days.”

  “You heard the doctor, Mother. I will stay here as long as you need help. Rick understands. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Again, relief washed over Joan. She didn’t want to be a burden, but she was also wondering how she could possibly manage alone right now.

  “You know, Mom, before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. Maybe you should think about just coming home with me after we get your arm set in a cast. I’d love to have you there, and it would give you more of a chance to get to know Rick. Plus, you could go visit Shoreline Manor and see it for yourself. Then after Christmas, maybe we can move you up there permanently.”

  Joan let the idea roll around in her head for a few moments before answering. Go a voice within urged. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” Sheila looked surprised. “Just like that?”

  “Just like that.” Joan smiled. Then she thought about the dog. “What about Thumper?”

  “Michelle will keep him for now.”

  “I hate to put that responsibility on her at such a busy time, what with school in full gear.”

  “It’ll be fine
, Mom. Really. And Caleb will be ecstatic.”

  “If you say so,” she replied hesitantly.

  “Okay, then it’s settled. After we get you in to see the orthopedic doctor, we’ll head up to Sandy Cove.”

  That night, as Sheila was getting ready for bed, she retrieved her phone from her purse to call Rick. The screen was black, and she realized she’d forgotten to turn it back on after the flight that morning. As she powered it up, she saw multiple voicemail messages in her inbox. Three were from Michelle, and four from Rick.

  Michelle had called before school, during her lunch break, and after she’d gotten home. “Please call me, Mom. I’m dying to hear how Grandma’s doing.”

  Sheila hit the autodial button for her daughter as she settled back against the pillows at the headboard of the bed.

  “Mom? I’ve been trying to reach you all day. How’s Grandma?”

  “She’ll be okay, honey. But I’m going to need to stay here for a while. We’ve got to go to the orthopedic doctor in a few days, and then I’m hoping to bring her home with me.”

  “Do you need me to do anything while you’re gone?”

  “No. I think everything will be fine at my house. I’ll let you know about our travel plans after we see the doctor. It’s possible we may need a ride home from the airport.”

  “Okay. Just let me know. I can take time off if you need me to,” she said.

  “Thanks. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Tell Grandma I love her and we’re praying for her.”

  “I will. She’ll appreciate that.”

  As soon as she got off the line with Michelle, Sheila called Rick. She filled him in on the day and her plans to bring her mother back to Sandy Cove as soon as possible.

  “If you need me to drive down there to get you two, just let me know,” he offered.

  “Actually, that might just be the best solution,” Sheila replied. “We’ll need to bring the dog up, too, and arranging a flight for him is one more challenge.”